Independent experts warned that “the new hijab law represents an increase in state control over women’s bodies in Iran and is another attack on women’s rights and freedoms.”
Note that Iran is implementing a law to protect the family by promoting the so-called culture of sexual purity and hijab.
Under the law, there are provisions to punish girls aged 12 and above who do not wear the hijab in online media and in normal life.
It also said that girls and women who are accused of promoting obscene, inappropriate clothing and nudity will be punished.
strict rules
Iran already has punishments and prison terms for not wearing the hijab under the Islamic penal code. But the new law has increased the fines and the punishment can be up to 15 years in jail.
Additionally, it would be possible for judges to sentence people ‘guilty’ of ‘corrupt conduct in the world’ to death.
The group of human rights experts said the new law clearly violated fundamental human rights, legal standards and principles. It violates women’s rights including equality, freedom of expression, religion and belief, bodily autonomy, security and privacy.
The Special Reporter Group is concerned that government campaigns are being used to create educational materials, impose cultural norms to make the hijab compulsory, and promote so-called sexual purity and family values.
According to him, under this law, these ideals are being included in the curriculum, training programs and public information dissemination and an attempt is being made to impose a price system approved by the state.
This will harm freedom of expression and the right to thought, religion and belief.
Fear of mistrust
According to independent experts, common people have also been given the responsibility to implement this law. Individuals, households and businesses will be required to report non-compliance with the law and technology will be used to detect it.
He expressed fears that this would create an environment of fear and mistrust and could have a disproportionate impact on children, youth and populations and groups that use social media.
Independent experts say it is likely to increase incidents of violence against women and girls and encourage gender-based, systemic discrimination and further alienation in Iranian society.
In view of this, the Group of Special Reporters called for the immediate repeal of all discriminatory laws, including the hijab and sexual purity laws.
Human rights expert
Independent human rights experts, or Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to monitor the human rights situation or conditions in a country and submit reports.
These human rights experts are independent of the UN and any country’s government, they are not UN staff, they do not receive any salary from the UN for their work.
Click here to view the list of experts who have signed this statement.